Location: Washington County, ME | Metro: Washington County, ME
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $930 |
| 1 Bedroom | $950 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,230 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,640 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,880 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,181 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,443 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,638 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,770 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 04626 are governed by the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) rates established by HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development). For fiscal year 2026, the SAFMR for a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP code is set at $1,250. This figure represents the maximum amount that the federal government will reimburse landlords for participating in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.
Local market rents are currently unavailable for comparison, but it's important to understand how the SAFMR rate translates into actual payments. In the Section 8 program, tenants are required to pay 30% of their adjusted income toward rent. Any amount above this 30% is covered by the voucher, up to the SAFMR limit. Additionally, there are utility allowances that can vary based on the type of unit and the region.
To illustrate, if a tenant's monthly adjusted income is $1,500, they would be responsible for paying 30%, which comes to $450. The remaining balance would be subsidized by the government. However, the total subsidy cannot exceed the SAFMR rate of $1,250. Therefore, the landlord would receive a reimbursement of $800 ($1,250 - $450) plus any applicable utility allowance. Utility allowances for a two-bedroom unit typically range from $200 to $300 per month, depending on the specifics of the rental agreement and the location.
In ZIP code 04626, landlords must ensure that their rental units meet the minimum standards set by HUD to qualify for the program. Once these standards are met, the landlord can expect to receive a steady stream of rental income, albeit capped at the SAFMR rate. This can be advantageous in a stable or declining rental market where finding reliable tenants might otherwise be challenging.
Given the SAFMR rate and assuming an average utility allowance of $250, the typical reimbursement for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 04626 would be around $1,500 ($1,250 + $250). If the local market rent were higher than the SAFMR rate, landlords would face a reimbursement gap, meaning they would need to rely on the tenant's contribution and the utility allowance to cover the difference. Conversely, if the local market rent were lower than the SAFMR rate, landlords could potentially benefit from a surplus, where the reimbursement exceeds the typical market rate.
Without specific local market rent data, it's impossible to calculate the exact reimbursement gap or surplus. However, landlords should be aware that the SAFMR rate is set specifically for this ZIP code, providing a targeted approach to ensuring affordability and stability for both tenants and property owners.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Demographics from U.S. Census (2024).
About FMR: Fair Market Rent (FMR) is used to determine payment standards for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, initial renewal rents for some expiring project-based Section 8 contracts, and rent ceilings for HOME Investment Partnerships.